Proton conducting composite membranes based on poly(1-vinyl-1,2,4-triazole) and nitrilotri (methyl triphosphonic acid)

Polymer electrolyte composite membranes based on poly(1-vinyl-1,2,4-triazole) (PVTRI) and nitrilotri(methyl triphosphonic acid) (TPA) were investigated. PVTRI was produced by free radical polymerization of 1-vinyl-1,2,4-triazole. The polymer PVTRI was doped with TPA at various molar ratios x=0.125, x=0.25, and x=0.5. The proton transfer from TPA to the triazole rings was proved with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Thermogravimetry (TG) analysis showed that the samples are thermally stable up to approximately 250 °C. DSC results illustrated the homogeneity of the materials as well as the softening effect of the dopant. Cyclic voltammetry results illustrated that the electrochemical stability domain of the dopant extends over 1.5 V. The maximum proton conductivity has been measured for PVTRITPA-0.25 as 8.5×10−4 S  cm−1 at 150 °C.

► Poly(1-vinyl-1,2,4-triazole) was blended with nitrilotri(methyl triphosphonic acid). ► The dopant acid is a high thermally and chemically stable molecule. ► Proton conductivity occurs via Grotthuss mechanism in anhydrous state. ► Maximum proton conductivity was obtained as 8.5×10−4 S cm−1 at 150 °C.